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DO WE HAVE A GALA?
Well, yes, on May 18th, which is two whole Saturdays away.
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Nancy's in charge
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Luckily, Nancy Baglietto is at the helm, and boy is she on top of the details.
The event starts at 6:00 at the Veterans' Hall in Lafayette. Begins with a cocktail/auction, with early dancing very much encouraged to get the event moving. There will then be short speeches by Nancy and Prez Mark, and a Lafayette Library video. It's Chez Isenberg in action again, with a buffet elegante. Dancing will follow, then a live auction with super-auctioneer Damon Casatico.
Tickets are $100 per. There will be 20 tables of eight. So far, five are filled and there have been some individual sales. There are great auction items. The dress is "fun". There will be name tags and seat assignments. Credit card swipes and PayPal will be available.
Volunteers are needed for registration. During the event, one kid per table to be a gofer is desired.
For tickets, Nancy is easy - email, phone, personal are all good. You need to designate your guests to her so they won't be left out in the wilderness.
Of course, outreach is vital, as folks don't usually drop everything and sign up when they receive a mailer. We need to get the word out that this is an over-the-top fun event.
THE NEXT GENERATION LOOKS FORMIDABLE
The 4-Way Speech Contest is always a favorite event, and today's was at the top of the list.
It didn't start out too auspiciously, as Steve Ware asked four of our esteemed members to each quote one of the 4-Ways. The answers were not quite up to the standards of the Acalanes School District.
Fortunately, the experts then took over. No podium or lectern was needed as the three contestants smoothly and engagingly delivered their messages.
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Chris argues Fairness to All Concerned
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Chris Wikler, junior at Acalanes, was concerned about finding a middle ground accommodating both sides in the issue of appropriate gun control. He drew a contrast between shots in the name of liberty (American Revolution) with shots of horror (Gabrielle Giffords, Sandy Hook School, etc.). Moderate steps for a safer society, such as background checks and outlawing 30-round clips, would be beneficial to all concerned.
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Jimmy hits on all cylinders
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Jimmy McFeely, Miramonte senior, also had a violent topic - incidents such as the latest Boston Marathon. He was thankful that his friend ran a 2:48 because this was a great time and he came in an hour before the bomb went off. But how to protect the public and also treat the alleged perpetrators fairly? Civilian court, or military tribunal? In the military court, four out of five officers can determine guilt and the death penalty. In civilian courts, 12 out of 12 jurors are needed. The military proceedings are private, allows coerced testimony and hearsay, and there is no reliance on precedent. Their justification is to protect sensitive information in a terrorism trial, but there have also been no leaks from civilian courts. We also need to rebuild our standing in the world by trying these people under the rule of law. Quoting Ben Franklin, "if you sacrifice a little liberty for (false) security, you deserve neither."
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Adam talks himself out of multi-tasking
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Adam Brager, another Miramonte senior, is not big on multi-tasking. He has caught himself surrounding his homework with electronic devices on each side. He went right down the 4-Way list. Truth: The brain develops a process of choosing from goals, and how to perform. Switching between tasks adds up to a lot of lost time, and authorities on driving say that a cell phone distracts like .08 alcohol. Fair: The urge to check the cellphone immediately takes you away from the task at hand, and it must be reconstructed. Good will: Lack of eye contact and interaction = disrespect. Smartphones at church, on a date, etc., are insulting and inappropriate. Beneficial: Most of us need to focus. Don't let multitasking get in your way - unitask. Step back and remove distractions.
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Kristen has much to be proud of
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While the judges pondered, coach Kristen Plant gave a glowing report on how public speaking is thriving in the Bay Area, although fewer than 20% of schools in California overall have speech or debate. Miramonte has done so for 30 years, and the middle schools in Orinda have big new programs. The popularity is such that she feels the need for another colleague next year. The tournaments are getting too big.
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The three amigos and family backers
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The students told a little about themselves. Chris Wikler is into the creative writing component of the speech program - fiction, poetry, memoir, and drama. Also plays the violin and does road cycling.
Jimmy McFeely is going to UC Santa Barbara next year (yelp of delight from Gaucho McCowan), is a runner (ed. note- reliable source Fazel says he's a sub-10 minute 2-miler), Eagle Scout project this summer, and was presiding officer at the State debating championship.
Adam Brager heads for UC Santa Cruz next year, is very active at Temple Isaiah, plays tennis, works with autistic kids, volunteers in Oakland, and most of all regards public speaking as a life changer for him.
The president decreed that the result was a three way tie. But there has to be a winner, and it was Jimmy McFeely. Congratulations to all.
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